E132: YOUTHJUICE with E.K. Sathue

 

Today I have E.K. Sathue on the show to chat about her new book, YOUTHJUICE. We discuss the toxicity of beauty culture, including the wealth privilege that accompanies it. We look at various inspirations for this novel, from the historical figure of Elizabeth Bathory to social media influencers. We also chat about the gruesome body horror she leans into as a writer. I hope you enjoy!

E131: Cronelit with Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Today I welcome back Sarah Wendell from the beloved Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog and podcast. We talk about CRONELIT, in other words, why books that center women of a certain age are having a moment. We also discuss books that address aging within a youth obsessed culture. 

At the time of recording, I didn't yet realize THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK (by Megan Bannen) centers a widowed woman with grown children finding love with her long-time best friend in weird western zombie fantasy book. It’s glorious and definitely falls in this catagory. Stay tuned for interview with Megan Bannen on that story. 

We mention the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books "Bookfinder" at the top of the episode, so follow the link if you're interested in trying it out for yourself!

Books discussed in my episode are all in the CroneLit Bookshop link for the show, but here is a graphic for some of the titles:

E130: THE LAMPLIGHTER with Crystal J. Bell

NEW EPISODE! Today I have Crystal J. Bell on to chat about her YA Gothic novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER, about a young woman in a coastal village where sinister things lurk in the woods, the fog, the ships, and the people of the town. It’s a book that revels in gothic atmosphere while centering new story elements. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

E129: THE HONEY WITCH with Sydney Shields

 

Today I have debut author, Sydney Shields, and I’m releasing this episode early because she was such a delight and her book, ⁠THE HONEY WITCH⁠, hit every note that many of us need right now. I simply couldn’t wait to share this conversation with all of you. We chat about aging, wisdom, feminism, body autonomy, tattoos, and bees. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. 

E128: Katherine Arden and THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS

Today I have Katherine Arden on the show to discuss THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS, her lastest book that explores historical horror set during World War I. We discuss ghosts and memory, common ground with fantasy and horror, and her thoughts on the early 20th century and steampunk. 

E127: Gwendolyn Kiste and THE HAUNTING OF VELKWOOD

Today, Gwendolyn Kiste returns to the show to discuss ⁠THE HAUNTING OF VELKWOOD⁠, her lastest book about childhood friends that return to their haunted neighborhood decades after escaping it. We discuss the brutality of youth, the gothic and stasis, as well as horror through the lens of older women.

  

The following are trailers to both movies discussed on the show, RIVER'S EDGE and BAD BOYS

E126: Nalini Singh and ARCHANGEL'S LINEAGE

 

Today, Nalini Singh joins me to talk about ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE, her lastest book in her Guild Hunter series. We discuss genre merging, the immortal appeal of angels as characters, her writing schedule, and what’s next in her Psy-Changeling series. 

The following are links include a preorder link for PRIMAL MIRROR, as well as the thrillers we discussed in the episode.

E125: The Cuban-Floridian Gothic of Chanel Cleeton

Today, Chanel Cleeton joins me to talk about HOUSE ON BISCAYNE BAY, her new book that explores gothic through a Cuban-Floridian lens. We discuss the difference of writing this novel after her previous and popular historical fiction books that also center Cuban characters and history, and we have fun discussing how she created gothic atmosphere with opulence and peacocks. 

Also mentioned in the episode is:

E124: Selkies and Midwives with Rose Sutherland

Today, Rose Sutherland joins me to talk about A SWEET STING OF SALT, her new book that’s a historical fiction retelling of The Selkie Wife fairy tale. We discuss the origin story for this novel, her nuanced use of language, and creating queer stories with happy endings. I have ⁠A SWEET STING OF SALT⁠, as well as other books mentioned in the episode, in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide.

- Movies mentioned in the episode are "Les Miserable" and "The Secret of Roan Inish."

E123: BLESS YOUR HEART with Lindy Ryan

Today, Lindy Ryan joins me to talk about BLESS YOUR HEART, her new bloody book full of Texas charm. We discuss whether or not this book is a slasher, the wonderful matriarchy at the heart of this book, and her nuanced character work that humanizes Texas caricatures into fully realized people. I have BLESS YOUR HEART in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. 

E122: Flowers, France and Pride and Prejudice with Hester Fox

Today, I welcome back Hester Fox to discuss her gorgeous and riveting new book, THE BOOK OF THORNS. We discuss the transgressive language of flowers, France during the Napoleonic Wars, and even a few Pride and Prejudice moments for fans of Jane Austen. I have THE BOOK OF THORNS in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Links below.

Hester is also my Patreon Book Club guest for April if you want to join us to chat about her book, THE WIDOW OF PALE HARBOR. Members get to ask all the questions and lead the discussion with amazing authors each month! You can join us here. 

E121: Autism, Cemeteries, and Cozy Mysteries with Dr. Brandy Schillace

 

Today, I have Dr. Brandy Schillace on to chat about their fascinating life as a macabre researcher, Autism, and their charming new mystery novel, THE FRAMED WOMEN OF ARDEMORE HOUSE. We discuss the gruesome nonfiction novels they are known for, authentic representation of the autistic experience, and their appearances on History Channel shows as an expert on strange history. I have Dr. Schillace’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Link below. 

Brandy also has a YouTube channel that centers nonfiction books on strange topics. It's loads of fun, and you can find it here. 

E120: Paulette Kennedy and THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT

Today, I welcome Paulette Kennedy back to the show to chat about her amazing new midcentury gothic novel, THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT. We chat about everything from Shirley Jackson to telekinesis metaphors, pyrex dishes and our love of aprons and Dolly Parton. We also get a peek at what she’s working on next. I have all of Paulette’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Links below:

E119: Simone St. James and MURDER ROAD

NEW EPISODE! Today, I welcome Simone St. James back to the show to chat about MURDER ROAD. We chat about everything from GenX to the newlywed couple who love and support each other throughout the story. We also get a peek at what she’s working on next. If you want to support the show, I have all of Simone's books available in my Bookshop, and I've included a few direct links of my favorites below. 

E118: Ghosts, Gods at War, and Romance with Roselle Lim

 

Today, I welcome Roselle Lim to the show to chat about her much anticipated romantasy novel, NIGHT FOR DAY. It’s full of ghosts, petty gods at war, and a couple who have to outsmart them, trapped at the center of it all with death on the line. I have NIGHT FOR DAY in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Thanks for listening!

E117: Bride of Frankenstein Retelling with Tim McGregor

 

Today, I welcome back Tim McGregor, to chat about his newest book EYNHALLOW, a Bride of Frankenstein retelling that was so good I didn’t want to pick up anything else for a while. I think about this book a lot since I’ve read it, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once you’ve read it too. I have EYNHALLOW and Tim’s other work in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Thank you for listening! 

These listings are for hardcover and paperback:

E116: THE FOX WIFE Interview with Yangsze Choo

Today, I share with you my podcaster dream of chatting with Yangsze Choo. I’ve loved her work for years, and THE FOX WIFE is her wonderful new book full of mystery, fox folklore, gothic fantasy, and romance. It was such an honor to spend time discussing her books with her. If you want to read them for yourself, and want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, I’ve added her titles to my Bookshop. Thank you for listening!

E115: WHIMSIGOTH: Book and Movie Recs with Celestine Martin

Today, I chat about Whimsigoth with paranormal romance author, Celestine Martin. We talk about these spooky, joyful, haunted, glittery worlds in movie and book recommendations for anyone seeking this aesthetic. We could have given recommendations for hours, so instead I made a list in my online Bookshop, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Thanks for joining me today. 

Here are the titles from the episode, and the link to my Bookshop WHIMSIGOTH list is here.

E113: Sally Thorne Gets Gothic!

 

NEW EPISODE! Today, I chat with Sally Thorne, author of the delightful and macabre romance novel, ANGELIKA FRANKENSTEIN MAKES HER MATCH. Romance fans know Sally from her bestselling novel and Netflix hit, THE HATING GAME, but I wanted to chat about her gothic, gruesome, romance that explores Mary Shelley’s themes and ethics while making making us smile and swoon. We reference her gothic dollhouse, Blackthorne Manor, which has it's own Instagram if you want to take a peek. I hope you enjoy it!

E113: Survival Horror with Jenny Kiefer

 

Today, I bring you a short but fun episode about Survival Horror, with Jenny Kiefer, author of the popular new book THIS WRECHED VALLEY, that takes place in Kentucky and was inspired by the Dyatlov Pass disaster. We recommend several Survival Horror books for you that will also be available in my online Bookshop, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. 

Jennifer is also the owner of Butcher Cabin Books, an independent horror bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky, and you can shop from directly on their website.

E112: Jayne Ann Krentz on Gothic and Romantic Suspense

Today, I bring you an interview with the legendary Jayne Ann Krentz, also known as Amanda Quick, also known as Jayne Castle. She’s been writing gothic and romantic suspense for decades and spoke with me about everything from pen names to the concept of “core story.” It was my honor to have her on the show. I’ll have fan favorite books in my online bookshop, as well as THE NIGHT ISLAND, the new book in her current trilogy series, THE LOST NIGHT FILES. The Night Island takes place on a remote, gothic setting with a strange garden and no technology. It’s perfect for all my gothic listeners! 

E111: Happy New Year with Rachel Harrison and Neil McRobert from Talking Scared!

Today, I have a special New Year’s episode to ring in 2024. I’ve invited Neil McRobert, of the Talking Scared Podcast, which is a wonderful show and I encourage you all to listen if you haven’t already. I also have Rachel Harrison on today, author of some of my all time favorite books, like CACKLE and SUCH SHARP TEETH. She has a new book due out later in 2024, that’s like Thelma and Louise with vampires, called SO THIRSTY, which I know I’m definitely looking forward to. Please know that this list is just a jumping off point for all three of us. There were so many books to look forward to in 2024, and we couldn’t discuss all of them, but we hope this gets you excited about some things to come. 

Here are the books we discussed in the episode. I've made all available in my Bookshop to order/preorder. Thank you for listening!